Blasting powder and method of manufacturing the same



reamed 22, 19 32 ROY LINDEN HILL, 0

'.'-rll"- DELAWARE, .ASSIGNOB TO ATLAS POWDER 00M- PANY, OF WILMINGTON,DELAWARE, A. CORPORATION OF DELAWARE BLASTING POWDER AND METHOD OFUFACTUBING THE SAME No Drawing.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application,Serial No. 342,955, filed February 26th, 1929.

The object of the invention is to provide [5? an improved explosive ofthe nature of black "powder and method of manufacturing the same. As wasstated in my aforesai application, black blasting powder is one of themost useful of explosives. It finds many 9 important applications; sellsat a lower price than practically any of the detonating exlosives, butis open to the objectionthat it has a low strength factor.

It has, heretofore been proposed to increase the strength actor of blackblasting powder by incorporating with the same, in the usual process ofmanufacture, one or more .of a variety of strengthening agents, such asammonium perchlorate, potassium 2o perchlorate, ammonium nitrate,nitro-compounds and organic nitrates.

However, most of the methods heretofore proposed, with which I amfamiliar, have the disadvantage of an increased hazard which rendersthem inapplicable to the usual black powder mills, and equipment. Someof them present the difiiculty that, when incorporated in intimatecontact with the usual sodium v nitrate or potassium nitrate of blackpowso der, a greatly increased hygroscopicity factor is introduced andblack powder, at its best, is not of great moisture resistance.

Further, various ingredients, which might be proposed for incorporationwith black as powder to strengthen it, have other individual disadvantaes in one or more of such items as manu%acture, handling, shipment,storage and application.

- Some of the objects which should, desir- 40 ably, be attained orapproached in making stronger black blasting powder, are: That it beadapted for manufacture in the usual black powder mills; that there beno increase in cost over usual black powder; that normal black powdersafety in manufacture,

handling, shipment, storage and application be maintained; that theusual methods of handling black owder, in the respects mentioned, willapp y; that there be no increase in hygroscopicity; that the productpossess Application filed December as, 1929. Serial No. 416,740.

the capability of strength regulation, and that the high temfperature ofcombustion and the deficiency 0 oxygen of regular black powder beutllized to assist in increasing the strength factor.

Increased black powder strength without any, or at least without aproportional increase in cost, represents a d1stinct direct saving tothe consumer in powder purchases. It offers further saving in lessdrilling, because of possible increased spacing of holes and lessspringing of holes because of the lack of necessity of getting so muchpowder in the holes, to accomplish the desired work.

This invention provides a modification of black blasting powder, whichwill be characterized b most of the roperties and the economy 0 usualblack blasting powder, but with various degrees of increased strength.

More specifically, it concerns the production of blasting powderconsistin of intermingled particles of usual blac blasting powder andspecially treated ammonium nitrate, in such form that'the alkali metalnitrate of usual black powder-is not in such intimate contact with theammonium nitrate as to cause increased hygroscopicity from this cause,and providing treatment of the ammonium nitrate to aid in its readycombustion or entrance into the explosive reaction. A previously filedapplication of mine, (my co-pending application No. 315,106,

filed October 26th, 1928) deals with grains of oxygen carrying explosivesalts, as ammonium nitrate. intermingled with grains of usual blackblasting powder, in such manner as to provide against the hygroscopicityresulting from intimate contact of alkali metal nitrate and ammoniumnitrate, but depends solely on the reaction heat of the usual blackpowder to cause energy releasing decomposition of the ammonium nitrate.When the percentage of ammonium nitrate present is too high, or theexplosive is insufliciently confined, this dependence may not besuflicient for best results.

I now find that I can provide for a more ready liberation of the energyof ammonium nitrate under the initiating influence of burning blackpowder by associating the ammonium nitrate intimately with combustibleand oxygen deficient matter, before mingling it with the usual blackblasting powder.

A number of different ways of preparing the ammonium nitrate has beendisclosed in my parent application, aforesaid, and have been genericallyclaimed therein.

The present application is intended to cover specifically the thought ofimpregnating combustible oxygen deficient matter, such as sawdust,charcoal, nut-shell, etc., with a solution of ammonium nitrate, dryingand granulating the resultant mass, and intermixing said mass withgrains of usual black powder. The presence of the particles of oxygendeficient combustible material prevents such intimate contact of theammonium nitrate with the alkali metal nitrate of the black blastingpowder as would bring about the undue hygroscopicity which wouldinevitably result if the ammonium nitrate were mixed in Whollyunprotected condition with the black blasting powder.

The composition formed by the impregnation of the sawdust, nut-shells,or equivalent impregnated ammonium nitrate carrier is of slow anddifficult combustion and relatively low explosion temperature. However,it is potentially gas forming on decomposition and possesses excellentstrength possibilities. I mix this composition in any desired proportionwith alkali metal nitrate black powder. This latter material burns withgreat rapidity, and the development of much heat and a high temperature.These factors ini-' tiate and carry on the complete conversion of thewhole product into highly expanded gas and water vapor, with a resultanthigh degree of blasting energy.

While I have described ammonium nitrate as being the oxygen carryingexplosive salt that I preferably employ, it is to be understood'that theinvention contemplates the use of ammonium perchlorate in the samerelation, if desired.

Further, while I have mentioned onl sawdust, charcoal, and nut-shells,it is to e understood that there is a wide range of materials suitablefor use in carrying out the invention. For example, it has been proposedto use as fillers, in the manufacture of dynamites, ground corn stalks,corn stalk pith,-

dried and ground beet pulp, and numerous other materials, usually ofvegetable origin, and I wish it to be understood that the inventioncontemplates the use of any suitable oxygen deficient carrier adapted totake up and be impregnated by the ammonium nitrate and to enter intocooperative relation with ordinary alkali metal nitrate black powder,

in the manner described in this application,

and in my parent application, aforesald.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. The hereindescribed method of prepar- 'granu1ar mass consisting of avegeta ing a blasting medium, which consists of mixingwith grains ofblack blasting. owder a lile product impre ated with ammonium nitrate,said vegeta 1e product being of such a nature toenter into the blastingmedium as a constituent part thereof. I

2. The hereindescribed method of preparing a blasting medium, whichconsists of mixingwith grains of black blasting owder a granular massconsisting of a vegeta le product impregnated with oxygen carryingexplosive salt, said vegetable product being of a nature to enter theblasting medium as a constituent part thereof and the oxygen carryingsalt being .of the class of ammonium nitrate and ammonium perchlorate.

3. The hereindescribed method of preparing a blasting medium whichconsists of mixing with grains of black blasting powder a granular massof a suitable oxygen deficient vegetable product impregnated withammonium nitrate, said oxygen deficient product entering into andforming part of the blasting medium.

4. A blasting medium consisting of a suitable combustible vegtableoxygen deficient material impregnated with ammonium nitrate and mixedwith grains of whole black blasting powder, said oxygen deficientmaterial entering into and forming part of the blasting medium.

5. A blasting medium comprising a carrier consisting of a suitablecombustible oxygen deficient material impregnated with an oxygencarrying explosive salt and mixed with grains of whole black blastingpowder, said oxygen deficient material entering into and formingpart ofthe blasting medium.

6. A blasting mediumcomprising a carrier consisting of a suitableabsorbent combustible oxygen deficient material of vegetable origin thatis impregnated with ammonium nitrate and mixed with grains of wholeblack blasting powder.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ROY LINDEN HILL.

